Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Ford Grand C Max Tow Bar Query Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonRossSW
08/12/2017 at 8:03pm
 Location: Dorset
 Outfit: 2007 Pennine Pathfinder View RossSW's Profile View Profile   Reply to RossSW Reply   Quote RossSW Quote  
Joined: 06/6/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   50
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We have recently purchased a 2011 Grand C Max and need to get a tow bar fitted to tow our folding camper. We have been told that as it has rear parking sensors a removable tow bar will have to be fitted. Is this correct? Or will a fixed tow bar suffice?


Personcheckley1973
08/12/2017 at 8:53pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636 View checkley1973's Profile View Profile   Reply to checkley1973 Reply   Quote checkley1973 Quote  
Joined: 29/8/2012

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1698
Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
It’s hit and miss in my experience. Some parking sensors pick up the tow bar and this is the main reason some people recommend detachable.

Personally we only use detachable as the cost isn’t much more and it saves our shins!

Have a look at the towtrust website. They make good towbar.


Persontango55
08/12/2017 at 9:08pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587
Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 24
Site Nights 2018: 0
This question has arose numerous times on this forum and the answer is that reversing sensors will never detect the fixed towball whatever vehicle it is. The part that is liable to get detected is the electrical towing socket if it's fitted behind the towball flange so you have to ensure that it is bolted on to the towbar under the rear bumper out of sight from the sensors.
I have had 3 fixed flanged towbars fitted to 3 different vehicles in the past and never had any issues regarding the rear parking sensors at all.


PersonOpensauce
08/12/2017 at 9:14pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View Opensauce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Opensauce Reply   Quote Opensauce Quote  
Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4530
Site Reviews Total: 13
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Have a fixed swan neck towbar fiitted. It looks tidier & socket will be low down out of way of sensors.


PersonColin21
08/12/2017 at 9:26pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6271
Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 7
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 18
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 21
Site Nights 2018: 18
I have rear sensors on my Volvo, with a fixed towbar and a 7 pin socket on a plate between the towbar and towball flange. I have had no problems whatsoever. The only thing the sensors do pick up is the caravan when I reverse with it attached, as there is no cut-out fitted.

Post last edited on 08/12/2017 21:30:16

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


Advertisement



Personnora
09/12/2017 at 6:56am
 Location:  Whitchurch shrops
 Outfit: Swift conqueror 480 View nora's Profile View Profile   Reply to nora Reply   Quote nora Quote  
Joined: 28/12/2003

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2134
Site Reviews Total: 9
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 21
Site Nights 2018: 0
I have a mondeo with a detachable tow bar . We never remove it due to having problems in the beginning and having go away a day date due to not being able to remove it .
So it stays on I also have sensors that are not affected by this at all .


PersonRossSW
10/12/2017 at 7:24am
 Location: Dorset
 Outfit: 2007 Pennine Pathfinder View RossSW's Profile View Profile   Reply to RossSW Reply   Quote RossSW Quote  
Joined: 06/6/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   50
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Thanks for all the replies. Was going for a swan neck as it hides the sockets. We also have a tow bar bike rack . Still none the wiser if the sensors will be activated by the towbar.


Persontango55
10/12/2017 at 10:32am
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587
Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 24
Site Nights 2018: 0
Quote: Originally posted by RossSW on 10/12/2017
Thanks for all the replies. Was going for a swan neck as it hides the sockets. We also have a tow bar bike rack . Still none the wiser if the sensors will be activated by the towbar.



Why are you still non the wiser. What is it you are uncertain about?
I thought that after receiving the feedback to your question it would have been confirmation that you won't have a problem regarding the towball and rear parking sensors.


PersonColin21
10/12/2017 at 2:57pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6271
Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 7
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 18
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 21
Site Nights 2018: 18
I doubt whether the sensors would be activated by any towbar, but I think they almost certainly would be by a bike rack.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


PersonTrigGLX
12/12/2017 at 1:04pm
 Location: Manchester
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 524 View TrigGLX's Profile View Profile   Reply to TrigGLX Reply   Quote TrigGLX Quote  
Joined: 19/8/2008

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   535
Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 7
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
All the cars i have had recently have had parking sensors fitted, and i have had not one jot of problems with them. Cars have been ford focus, volvo v70 estate, Vx Antara, Vx Insignia. All apart form the fords focus had dedicated wiring, and swan necks hitches. the ford had a bolted hitch and crimp together wiring for the lights.

Dedicated wiring should eliminate problems with parking sensors.

rgds
chris


Advertisement



PersonColin21
12/12/2017 at 1:42pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6271
Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 7
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 18
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 21
Site Nights 2018: 18
Quote: Originally posted by TrigGLX on 12/12/2017
All the cars i have had recently have had parking sensors fitted, and i have had not one jot of problems with them. Cars have been ford focus, volvo v70 estate, Vx Antara, Vx Insignia. All apart form the fords focus had dedicated wiring, and swan necks hitches. the ford had a bolted hitch and crimp together wiring for the lights.

Dedicated wiring should eliminate problems with parking sensors.

rgds
chris


Dedicated wiring won't help with issues such as a towbar-mounted bike rack. Whether the vehicle has dedicated wiring or not, if the sensors "see" something fitted to the car as being an object behind the car, they will sound a warning. It is all down to what the sensors detect.

Where dedicated wiring could help is in cases like mine where the sensors detect my caravan when I am reversing with it hooked up to the car, but I could probably achieve the same thing by fitting a switch to cut them out when I have the caravan on the back.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

6026 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder